Audra McDonald makes Tony Award history with win

Mark Kennedy AP Drama Writer

Posted:
06/08/2014 07:34:28 PM MDT

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This photo provided by Jeffrey Richards Associates shows Audra McDonald as Billie Holiday in "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar &amp; Grill". McDonald is nominated for a Tony Award for best performance by an actress in a leading role in a play for "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar &amp; Grill." The Tony Awards will be held on Sunday, June 8, in New York. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Richards Associates, Evgenia Eliseeva)

NEW YORK (AP) — Audra McDonald has become the Tony Awards' most decorated actress.

The singer and actress on Sunday won her sixth Tony for portraying Billie Holiday in "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill," putting her ahead of five-time winners Angela Lansbury and the late Julie Harris for the most competitive wins by an actress.

The latest win — for best lead actress in a play — also makes McDonald the first grand-slam performance winner. She previously won as best featured actress in a play ("A Raisin in the Sun" and "Master Class"), best lead actress in a musical ("The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess") and best featured actress in a musical ("Ragtime" and "Carousel"). She also has two Grammys.